Systems and methods for testing motion sensitivity using virtual scenes

Abstract

A patient's sensitivity to motion can be evaluated via a virtual reality (VR) system, which includes a VR headset in electronic communication with a computing device. The computing device causes virtual environments, which can include continuously moving elements, to be displayed on the VR headset. Using varying combinations of eye-tracking sensors, eye-tracking cameras, motion-tracking sensors, handheld devices, and microphones, the VR headset can collect data about the patient as she observes the virtual environment and inputs her motion sensitivity response. Optionally, advanced algorithms in the computing device dynamically alter the motion of the moving elements in the virtual environment based on the patient's inputs. This dynamic evaluation can facilitate a detailed assessment of the patient's motion sensitivity while preventing the patient from becoming too motion sick during the evaluation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for testing motion sensitivity, the method comprising:
 displaying a virtual scene on screens of a virtual reality (VR) headset worn by a patient, wherein the virtual scene comprises continuously moving elements;   prompting the patient to provide an input, wherein the input comprises a degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in response to viewing the virtual scene;   processing the input; and   comparing the input to a database, wherein the database comprises inputs from individuals with known motion sensitivity statuses.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying a different virtual scene, wherein the different virtual scene moves in a manner that is different from the virtual scene;   prompting the patient to provide an additional input, wherein the additional input comprises the degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in response to viewing the different virtual scene;   processing the additional input; and   comparing the additional input to the database.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 changing a pixelation direction of each element of the continuously moving elements to suddenly change the movement of the virtual scene;   prompting the patient to provide an additional input, wherein the additional input comprises the degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in response to viewing the continuously moving elements with the changed pixelation direction;   processing the additional input; and   comparing the additional input to the database.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 increasing a speed at which each element of the continuously moving elements moves;   prompting the patient to provide an additional input, wherein the additional input comprises the degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in response to viewing the continuously moving elements with the increased speed;   processing the additional input; and   comparing the additional input to the database.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the virtual scene comprises displaying an interactive scene. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising prompting the patient to navigate through the virtual scene. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising prompting the patient to provide an additional input, wherein the additional input comprises a description of what the patient perceives in the virtual scene. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying one or more rapidly moving objects in the virtual scene;   prompting the patient to track the one or more rapidly moving objects with his eyes;   monitoring eye movements of the patient;   prompting the patient to provide an additional input, wherein the additional input comprises the degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in responses to tracking the one or more rapidly moving objects;   processing the additional input; and   comparing the eye movements of the patient and the additional input to the database, wherein the database further comprises eye movements from individuals with known motion sensitivity statuses.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying one or more optotypes in the virtual scene;   prompting the patient to locate the one or more optotypes;   calculating an accuracy with which the patient locates the one or more optotypes;   prompting the patient to provide an additional input, wherein the additional input comprises the degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in responses to locating the one or more optotypes;   processing the additional input; and   comparing the accuracy and the additional input to the database, wherein the database further comprises accuracy data from individuals with known motion sensitivity statuses.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein processing the input comprises processing the input in real-time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein comparing the input to the database comprises comparing the input to the database in real-time. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a report, wherein the report identifies abnormalities in the motion sensitivity of the patient and indicates underlying visual or neurological conditions. 
     
     
         13 . A system for testing motion sensitivity, the system comprising:
 a virtual reality (VR) headset comprising screens, at least one eye-tracking sensor, and at least one eye-tracking camera, the VR headset being configured to collect motion sensitivity input from a patient wearing the VR headset; and   a computing device in electronic communication with the VR headset, the computing device being configured to (a) cause a virtual scene to be displayed on the screens of the VR headset and (b) process the motion sensitivity input to determine the motion sensitivity of the patient, wherein the motion sensitivity input comprises responses from the patient regarding a degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in response to viewing the virtual scene.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a handheld device in electronic communication with the VR headset and the computing device, wherein the patient can use the handheld device to provide the motion sensitivity input. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more microphones in electronic communication with the VR headset and the computing device, wherein the patient can use the microphone to provide the motion sensitivity input. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one eye-tracking sensor and the at least one eye-tracking camera are configured to track eye movements of the patient and identify reaction times of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one eye-tracking sensor and the at least one eye-tracking camera are configured track the eye movements and identify the reaction times in real-time and communicate corresponding data with the computing device in real-time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one eye-tracking camera is an infrared camera. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the computing device comprises a user interface at which a report summarizing the eye movement patterns of the patient can be accessed. 
     
     
         20 . A virtual reality (VR) headset for testing motion sensitivity, the VR headset comprising:
 screens configured to display a virtual scene for a patient wearing the VR headset, wherein the virtual scene comprises continuously moving elements;   at least one eye-tracking sensor and at least one eye-tracking camera, the at least one eye-tracking sensor and the at least one eye-tracking camera being configured to track eye movements of the patient and identify reaction times of the patient; and   one or more microphones configured to receive motion sensitivity input from the patient, wherein the motion sensitivity input comprises responses from the patient regarding a degree of motion sickness that the patient experiences in response to viewing the virtual scene.